Oscars 2013 Predictions

Tonight is the 85th Annual Academy Awards, so I decided to share my predictions for who I think will win tonight, and who I want to win.

Best Picture
Who Will Win: Argo
Who Should Win: Argo


Best Actor in a Leading Role
Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Who Should Win: Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables


Best Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Who Should Win: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty


Best Supporting Actor
Who Will Win: Robert DeNiro, Silver Linings Playbook
Who Should Win: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained


Best Supporting Actress

Who Will Win: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Who Should Win: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables


Best Director
Who Will Win: Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Who Should Win: Ang Lee, Life of Pi (Although Ben Affleck should have been nominated and should have WON)


Animated Feature Film
Who Will Win: Wreck-It-Ralph
Who Should Win: Wreck-It-Ralph


Cinematography

Who Will Win: Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi
Who Should Win: Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi


Foreign Language Film

Who Will Win: Amour
Who Should Win: Amour


Original Screenplay

Who Will Win: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Who Should Win: Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty


Adapted Screenplay

Who Will Win: Chris Terrio, Argo
Who Should Win: David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook


Sound Editing

Who Will Win: Paul N.J. Ottosson, Zero Dark Thirty
Who Should Win: Paul N.J. Ottosson, Zero Dark Thirty


Sound Mixing

Who Will Win: Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes, Les Miserables
Who Should Win: Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes, Les Miserables


Visual Effects

Who Will Win: Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott, Life of Pi
Who Should Win: Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott, Life of Pi


Film Editing

Who Will Win: William Goldenberg, Argo
Who Should Win: William Goldenberg, Argo


Short Film, Animated

Who Will Win: John Kahrs, Paperman
Who Should Win: John Kahrs, Paperman


Original Score

Who Will Win: Mychael Danna, Life of Pi
Who Should Win: Dario Marianelli, Anna Karenina


Original Song

Who Will Win: Skyfall, Skyfall
Who Should Win: Suddenly, Les Miserables


Production Design

Who Will Win: Eve Stewart, Les Miserables
Who Should Win: Eve Stewart, Les Miserables


Costume Design

Who Will Win: Jacqueline Durran, Anna Karenina
Who Should Win: Paco Delgado, Les Miserables


Makeup & Hairstyling

Who Will Win: Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell, Les Miserables
Who Should Win: Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell, Les Miserables

Life of Pi (2012) - Film Review

Ang Lee's cinematic adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel Life of Pi is a gloriously magnificent work of art. Shot in 3D, the film takes full advantage of the technology to bring to life the colorful world of India and the Pacific Ocean where the film's protagonist, Pi (portrayed by newcomer Suraj Sharma) finds himself trapped after enduring a shipwreck. 

There are several moments in the film where the cinematography greatly enhances the fantasy-like environment Pi finds himself in. The use of vibrant colors throughout the movie creates a dream-like state that wows on many levels. One notable sequence is a scene at night when Pi sees a school of glowing jellyfish in the ocean, as the neon glow of the jellyfish illuminates a large humpback whale that leaps over his head. The scene uses a carefully measured amount of visual effects to allow the viewer's eye to question whether or not the sequence is based in reality or in Pi's imagination. 

Another element that deserves praise is the marvelous Richard Parker, the Bengal Tiger that Pi finds himself stuck with on the lifeboat out at sea. The CGI animal is so intricately designed it looks and feels real, and its ravishing color contrasts the various shades of blue from the sky and sea, generating a visual feast for the eye. 

Suraj Sharma, who makes his acting debut in this movie, gives a splendid performance. The hopes and fears of Pi is brilliantly captured in his acting. Sharma manages to create a character that remains grounded in reality despite the bizarre happenings around him. All in all, Ang Lee has created a masterful work of art in Life of Pi, which is visually pleasing and full of heart.  

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Film Review

In the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises lives up to all its anticipation and finishes off the final installment in a near-perfect way.

After the 2008 movie starring Heath Ledger as the Joker, the expectations were set very high for the follow-up to the mega-blockbuster. While not completely without flaws, Nolan's final movie in his Batman series ends on a very, very high note.

It has been eight years since The Joker terrorized the citizens of Gotham in The Dark Knight, and the city is now in a state of peace. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has since retired and left his alter-ego behind, and James Gordon has since put an end to the once crime-filled city. After a long, dragged-out first 50 minutes of set-up, the film's villain, Bane (Tom Hardy) begins to terrorize the city, leading Wayne to bring back Batman to put an end to the evil that is slowly creeping its way back into Gotham. What follows is 2 hours of apocalyptic-sized storytelling leading to a grand finale too good to spoil. With twists and turns thrown unexpectedly throughout the film, audiences are kept at the edge of their seat as they watch both the people in Gotham, and the city's heroic symbol Batman fighting for their lives.

New additions to the cast include Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Tom Hardy as Bane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake, and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate. Hardy is not nearly as delightful of a villain as Ledger was, and while he proves to be a real threat to Batman, the mask covering his mouth made his audio not only annoying to listen to, but also comical at parts. The real standout in the ensemble however, is Anne Hathaway. Hathaway continues to prove that she can do no wrong and I'd be surprised if she doesn't win an Oscar sometime in her career. As the role of Catwoman, Hathaway brings a level of complexity and flare to the character. In one of the earlier scenes in the film, Hathaway impeccably switches from being an innocent maid to the infamous burglar, further showcasing her acting chops.

While some superhero movies simply aim for flashy moments to grab viewers' attention, others manage to capture the audience's heart with its storytelling. In the case of The Dark Knight Rises, Nolan has written a screenplay filled with political undertones that not only gives its fans "superhero" moments of explosions and action sequences, but also a narrative that is endearing. The final act to this Batman trilogy is not to be missed.

Savages (2012) - Film Review

Oliver Stone brings the gritty, violent and sexual novel by Don Winslow to the big screen with a star studded cast.

In a film that feels more Oliver Stone than any of his latest entries, Savages is an intense thrill-ride that is a pleasing alternative summer flick to the superheroes and family-friendly movies during this season. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, John Travolta and Benicio Del Toro, the movie centers around three beautiful young people, Ben (Aaron Johnson), Chon (Taylor Kitsch), and O (Blake Lively). Ben and Chon are pot growers who are contacted by a Mexican drug cartel hoping to do business with them, but when they decline their offer, they've angered, Elena (Salma Hayek), the ring leader who then appoints her henchman Lado (Benicio Del Toro) to kidnap the boys' shared girlfriend, O (short for "Ophelia") leading the boys to go to great lengths to save her.


Though the pacing of the film was rather uneven, with some parts a bit slow and other parts leaving you at the edge of your seat, Stone, who also wrote the script, managed to give each of the characters a well-fleshed out story arc. From O's relationship with Elena, to Elena's with her daughter, to Ben and Chon's, etc. 

Salma Hayek absolutely slays as the drug cartel leader Elena, owning every scene she is in and proving to be a major force to be reckoned with. Every line she delivers is done so with such power that it actually makes you believe that so many men can fear a women with such a small physique. Narrating the movie and playing the role of the spoiled drug-addicted California girl, Blake Lively further proves that she is capable of taking on meatier roles than that of her shallow fashion forward socialite character on Gossip Girl. She may be flaunting her curves and golden locks, but the actress also brings a certain depth to her character giving O a backstory that explains why she is the way she is. Aaron Johnson continues to glow as a rising talent in Hollywood, playing the sensitive Buddhist Ben, whose chemistry with Taylor Kitsch's Chon makes for a highly believable friendship. Taylor Kitsch, after two major flops this year, continues to show that he is indeed a versatile actor as well. Another highlight in the cast was Benicio Del Toro, who gives a frightening but spectacular performance as Elena's henchman Lado. 

If you were looking for something other than superheroes, vulgar teddy bears, animation and male strippers, than Savages is the movie for you.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - Film Review

Andrew Garfield swings and soars as the web-slinging Marvel superhero in this Spider-Man reboot.

Directed by Marc Webb, this re-imagination of the iconic superhero is earnest, fun and full of great performances. The film takes a slightly darker turn than the Tobey Maguire-led franchise, but also manages to insert wit and humor in it along the way. With plenty of stunning 3-D action sequences and a heart-felt love story, this Spider-Man certainly lives up to its title of being "amazing."


Andrew Garfield stars as the nerdy Peter Parker, who after being bitten by a spider develops spidey-senses of his own. He designs his own costume and web-shooters in this version, and also develops feelings for beautiful girl-next-door Gwen Stacy, played by the ever wonderful Emma Stone. The chemistry between the two leads were absolutely perfect, as the two managed to capture every bit of the experience of one's first love, making it both authentic and heart-felt. Further, Stone's Gwen Stacy proves to be a much stronger and less annoying female lead than that of Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane. Gwen Stacy is no damsel in distress, but rather a young woman with a strong moral conscience that compliments her love interest's. 


The one fault in this film however, is its villain. Rhys Ifans portrays Dr. Curt Connors, the lab partner of Parker's father who is in pursuit of a DNA-based cross-species genetic serum. While the Lizard facing off against Spider-Man made for some intense fight sequences, the CGI creature made the action scenes feel more like a video game than a live-action movie. In a film that focused so much on presenting realistic human emotions and characteristics, a more realistic villain would have been a better choice to suit the film's narrative. 


There is no doubt that Garfield was born to play the role of Peter Parker, and he flawlessly captures the very essence of what the young boy and his superhero alter-ego should be. The Amazing Spider-Man is a fun summer superhero flick that is not to be missed, if not for its two leads then for the familiarity of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who has just proven himself to be worthy of a new franchise. 

Brave (2012) - Film Review

If you had the chance to change your fate...would you? Pixar certainly hopes so, especially after the disappointment that was Cars 2 last summer.

Back in all its animated glory, Pixar Animation Studios returns with a new adventure set in Scotland with a fiery red hair heroin, a first for the studio. Brave, featuring the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Craig Ferguson and Kevin McKidd tells the story of a young princess, Merida (Kelly Macdonald) who possesses a skill in archery and desires to live a tradition-free life where she can go out and explore the world on her own. But preventing her from doing so is her rule-driven mother, Queen Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson) who does everything she can to prepare her daughter to become a lady as she comes of age to get married. Balancing out the mother-daughter duo is King Fergus (Billy Connolly), whose carefree and playful spirit foils that of the strict and proper demeanor of his wife's. When Merida gets into an argument with her mother, she rides off into the woods where she encounters a witch, in which she is given the ability to change her own fate.

The narrative of Brave reminded me of such previous Disney movies as Brother Bear and Mulan, but while the first two acts seemed to share similar plot points as those two movies, thankfully Pixar was able to do something slightly different in the final act of the movie. Though I won't give away the ending, I must say that while it was satisfying, it was not groundbreaking but rather conventional. With Pixar's track record to deliver fresh and engaging movies with strong characters, I would say that Brave certainly boasts the "engaging" and "strong characters," but not the "fresh."

What can be appreciated is the impeccable animation, from the intricately drawn curls in Merida's hair to the sweeping Scotland landscape, this movie is truly beautiful. But what is absent is the complexity that the audience have come to know and love (and expect) from Pixar movies.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - Film Review

Once upon a time in a land called Hollywood, two Snow White movies were released in the same year...but who came out the fairest of them all? The answer, is that it was not the one with the Huntsman.

Kristen Stewart stars as the princess with 'skin as white as snow' in Snow White and the Huntsman, but the real star of the film comes in the form of the deliciously evil queen played impeccably by Charlize Theron.

From the producers of last year's visually stunning Alice in Wonderland, the early promotional spots for Snow White looked fierce and intense. However, the epic battle sequences that were on full display in the trailers was unfortunately not what was packed in the 127 minutes seen on the big screen. Instead, what was seen was a darker take on a familiar tale with unbearably slow pacing. The first half hour of the movie was spent setting up the plot, and a drawn out segment halfway through the movie with the seven dwarves was unnecessary and slow.

Other than Charlize Theron, the cast of the film was rather muddled as well. Kristen Stewart is up to her same, dull Bella Swan acting tricks, showing little to no emotion as she struggled her way through playing the role of a strong heroine. Chris Hemsworth, who plays the Huntsman, delivers a performance that simply feels like a rehash of Thor only with darker hair and a dirtier face. His odd accent amidst a cast of British accents also did not help. British rising star Sam Claflin portrays Prince William, who while talented, was left with barely anything to do. The Seven Dwarves were also nothing special, and it felt like they were only thrown into the mix to stay true to the source material.

What would have been an action-packed and grittier take on the Snow White story failing to meet expectations. As a result, the final product was just a glossy piece of eye candy, with little to no substance to give the film a sustainable presence.

In a summer packed with big blockbuster action flicks, Snow White and the Huntsman was unfortunately not one of them, and as I predicted back in March after watching Mirror Mirror, the Lily Collins starring fairytale flick was much more enjoyable than this adaptation.

The Avengers (2012) - Film Review

The wait is finally over—Summer is finally here as the big superhero blockbuster, The Avengers, assembles and smashes onto the big screen in America.

It has been building up for years now, with multiple Hulk adaptations, two Iron Man movies, and  Thor and Captain America debuting last year. But with the intense buzz building up to what is one of the biggest movies of the year, did The Avengers live up to all its hype? The answer, quite simply, is yes. Directed and written by Joss Whedon, the movie is loud, big, and for lack of better words...EPIC.

Each character is gets their own time to shine throughout the movie's 143 minute duration, and in no way does one outshine the other. The film is very much so an assembling of multiple superheroes teaming up to save the world. Also, where previous films with the characters failed before, Whedon managed to fix up nicely. After two lackluster attempts at bringing The Incredible Hulk to life, once with actor Eric Bana and the other with Edward Norton, it seems that this time Marvel has finally got it right, with Mark Ruffalo as the green giant himself. The Hulk is everything you'd expect him to be, part Jenkyll and Hyde, and part big destructive weapon which the team needed to destroy its enemies. Robert Downey Jr. remains witty, charming, funny and suave as the tech-savvy superhero Iron Man, and even Chris Evans and Hemsworth (as Captain America and Thor respectively) manage to bring something special during their characters' screen-time after lackluster debuts last summer. The expansion of the roles of Hawkeye, played impeccably by Jeremy Renner who is no doubt Hollywood's brightest new action star, and the Black Widow, portrayed by the sexy Scarlett Johansson also worked incredibly well. The two characters were more fleshed out, and also brought forth a more human-level of action to the superhero mix. Hell, even the villain was brilliant. British actor Tom Hiddleston glows as the menacing Loki, the half-brother of Thor, bringing ultimate destruction and chaos to New York City and proving himself to be a worthy competitor to The Avengers.

For those of you who thought that the trailers and TV spots leading up to the film's debut had given away most of the big moments in the film, you can take a deep breathe. There is so much more action-packed sequences that the promotional material did not reveal. The CGI was stunning, and the fight sequences explosive. Clearly The Avengers have set the bar high for the coming superhero films this summer, although both Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises look promising as well.

All you Marvel fanatics and comic book geeks have nothing to fear—The Avengers is everything you'd hoped it would be and much more. But most importantly, it was big, bold, fun, and something that's not to be missed.

Mirror Mirror (2012) - Film Review

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? If Hollywood has anything to say about it, it would be new "it" girl Lily Collins.

Collins, daughter of musician Phil Collins stars in the live action adaptation of the popular Grimm fairytale, the first of two Snow White films to grace the big screen this year. Directed by Tarsem Singh, Mirror Mirror is a visual feast. From the colorful and elaborate gowns to the sweeping majestic palace, the film overachieves in providing plenty of eye-candy to look at. It certainly helps to have an attractive cast as well, with Lily Collins as Princess Snow White, Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and Armie Hammer playing Prince Charming.

Mirror Mirror is essentially told from the perspective of the Evil Queen, played with poise and hilarity by Miss Roberts herself. The comedic tone of the film carries over to the seven dwarves, whose each unique personalities are not identical to the dwarves from the iconic Walt Disney animated film.

Where the film works is its visuals and comedic jokes, but halfway through the film the story seems a bit too ridiculous and drawn out at times. A black magic-induced battle scene takes place at the house of the dwarves as they face off against giant wooden puppets, which are incredibly executed with CGI but lacks a plausible reason to be in the film's narrative. And while some jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, it is not to say that there aren't jokes that misses the mark as well.

Both Armie Hammer and Julia Roberts deliver splendid performances, but all eyes were on up-and-comer Lily Collins, the latest "it" girl in Hollywood. Did Collins prove herself as a credible actress? Certainly. But does she leave a memorable mark on the iconic role? Not quite. Collins certainly is talented and pretty, but she doesn't quite standout in this film. In fact, between Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen, the Seven Dwarves and Armie Hammer as the Prince, Collins somehow just gets lost in the mix.

Mirror Mirror was campy fun and pure family entertainment. And for those looking to relive their childhood fantasies by seeing the legend of Snow White come to life, then this may be the escapist fun for you.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - Animated Short Film.

The Fantastic Fly Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

This winner of the Academy Awards' Best Animated Short Film is well deserving of it. And two quotes from it stuck out to me:

“The many varied points of views I have encountered do not confuse, but enrich.”

“If life is enjoyable does it have to make sense?”

This remarkable animated short film is a reminder to us all that we should not only enjoy our lives, but also to take advantage of the vast amount of information out there waiting for us to explore.

15 Films I Look Forward to in 2012

1. The Hunger Games
Directed by Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth

Based on the highly addictive action-packed novel series, Jennifer Lawrence ("X-Men: First Class") brings the fierce main character of Katniss Everdeen to life in this feature film adaptation.



2. Snow White and the Huntsman
Directed by Rupert Sanders
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth

Only one word comes to mind when describing this twisted take on the classic Snow White fairy tale: badass.. Kristen Stewart plays the princess who is being hunted down by a huntsman(Chris Hemsworth, "Thor") who was appointed to do so by the Evil Queen, played so perfectly by Charlie Theron.



3. The Avengers
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Scarlet Johansson, Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo

It's every comic book nerd's dream, assembling Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Captain America together for this team of superheroes. Whether or not this film will actually deliver in plot has yet to be determined. But one thing that's for certain is that this plenty of epic superhero showdowns that will have you geeking out in the movie theatres.



4. The Amazing Spider-Man
Directed by Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone

It was not long ago when Sam Raimi wrapped up neatly his Spider-Man Trilogy. Now, 500 Days of Summer's Marc Webb takes on the iconic web-sling hero, this time with The Social Network's Andrew Garfield, who seems to have waited for this role for a lifetime.



5. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Dominic Cooper

Based on the novel whose author has also spawned books such as "Pride and Prejudice with Zombies", this film gives a new take to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, adding blood-sucking vampires into the mix. Broadway actor Benjamin Walker ("Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson") stars as the president, driven by his mother's death at the hands of vampires, kills vampires on his path to become the U.S. President.



6. Brave
Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
Starring: Kelly MacDonald

After a lackluster sequel of Cars 2 last summer, Pixar Animations returns with its first ever female lead character, a Princess who defies the rules of her kingdom to make her own path for her life.



7. The Dark Knight Rises
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway

The final chapter in Chris Nolan's Batman trilogy is being hyped up as one of the biggest films of the year. Word has it that some of the midnight showings are sold out already. Here's to hoping that this carbon copy cast of Inception will deliver just like the previous installment did.



8. Django Unchained
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio

Tarantino directs this western about a slave-turned-bounty hunter, who with the help of his mentor, sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Little much else is known about this film but the plot already has me intrigued.



9. The Gangster Squad
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

If the stellar cast didn't have me hooked already, then I don't know what else will. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone reunite to join Sean Penn in this crime drama set in Los Angeles in the 1940's about the LAPD trying to fight back gang leader Micky Cohen(Penn) who tries to bring his East Coast Mafia to the West Coast.



10. Skyfall
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem

The 23rd Bond film brings Daniel Craig back as the suave and sexy agent, this time facing off against a villain portrayed by Javier Bardem. This film is set to be more emotionally and character driven, but hopefully there will still be plenty of the usual Bond girls and combat action....which is how every Bond film should be.



11. Anna Karenina
Directed by Joe Wright
Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson

After lackluster stints with Hanna and The Soloist, Joe Wright returns to direct the kind of period dramas that he is critically applauded for. In this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel, Keira Knightley stars as the title character, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who soon finds herself only being caught up in an even more complicated relationship.



12. The Great Gatsby
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby Maguire and Carey Mulligan

The classic novel about social class, romance and the American Dream during the 1920's gets a 3-D makeover as DiCaprio will take on the lead role of Jay Gatsby himself. After the recently remarkable and critically praised use of 3-D in Scorsese's film Hugo, let's hope that the 3-D used in this film will enhance and not disrupt this beautiful tale.



13. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen

And just when you thought you'd never see that darn ring again after Frodo got rid of it in The Return of the King, it makes a return in Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of The Lord of the Rings prequel. The first official trailer proved that this film will boast a lighter tone than the Rings trilogy, but nonetheless I'll take any sort of return to Middle Earth that we can get. And you can also count me in as ecstatic for the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf.




14. Savages
Directed by Oliver Stone
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson and Blake Lively

Based on the novel about two successful marijuana growers, Ben(Johnson) and Chon(Kitsch), who attract the attention of the Mexican drug cartel. After the drug cartel kidnaps their shared girlfriend(Lively), the two friends must devise a plan to rescue her. You know why I am excited for this film. Gossip Girl's Blake Lively is in it. Need I say more?

15. Les Miserables
Directed by Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, and Aaron Tveit

Possibly one of the best musicals of all time, Tom Hooper takes on Victor Hugo's classic tale about redemption set in 19th century France. It's the first version of Les Mis told with the songs from the Broadway hit in tact, and I cannot think of anyone better than Hugh Jackman to play the lead role of Jean Valjean. Besides Jackman however, the rest of the cast has me screaming in excitement as well. British rising star Eddie Redmayne and Broadway heartthrob Aaron Tveit also star, along with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen who are perfectly casted as the money-hungry Thénardiers. Oscar potential? I sure think so.

The Artist (2012) - Film Review

If there was ever a film that completely sweeps up every award at the Oscars, and entirely deserves it, it would be The Artist.

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, the French silent film is in every way, nostalgic and authentic in its artistic creation. Starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in the lead roles, the film takes place during the 1920's and early 1930's of the Hollywood film industry, documenting the transition from silent films into the era of the talkies.

George Valentin(Jean Dujardin) is a silent film star who is attending the premiere of his latest film, "A Russian Affair" in Hollywood 1927. Following the film's screening, he steps out of the theatre for photos for the press. When a young female fan, Peppy Miller(Bérénice Bejo) accidentally stumbles out into Valentin's spotlight during his photoshoot, she lands herself on the front cover of Variety and instantly becomes the talk of the town. As Peppy continues to garner more attention first with the photo and later with an audition for a film that George Valentin is the star of, their friendship is put to the test when the silent film era comes to a close. As the stock-market crash in 1929 hits, Valentin finds his career coming to an end, while Miller herself becomes the leading lady to the public.

Words cannot even begin to describe how marvelous The Artist is. Jean Dujardin gives a commanding performance in the role of George Valentin, and Bérénice Bejo is equally adorable as she is talented in the role of Peppy Miller. Their onscreen chemistry is impenetrable, and has audiences so emotionally engaged in both of their character's journey throughout the film. Their talent is further proven to be indestructible when the two perform a spectacular tap dance number in the film.

The cinematography and screenplay also helps create the tone of the film, and when being watched in a theatre it makes you forget that you are living in the 21st century. The film transports you back to the days when big budget special effects and 3-D was not necessary in making a movie good or crowd pleasing. The artistic beauty of the film in and of itself is a tribute to the cinematic arts, and a worthy one. Further, the musical score composed by Ludovic Bource entirely corresponds with the narrative of the film and drives the emotional aspect of the film forward.

The Artist is a magnificent work of art that proves that you don't need all of the modern technology used today in many films to create a spectacle. But what it also goes to show is that the art of filmmaking is timeless, and something that was raved about many years ago can still be a hit in the present.

Oscars 2012 - Who I Want To Win

In light of the 2012 Academy Awards nominations being announced today, I've decided to make a list, not of who I think will win but simply who I want to win. My picks are highlighted in BOLD.

Best Picture

“War Horse”
“The Artist”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Moneyball”
“The Descendants”
“The Tree of Life”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Best Actress

Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”

Best Actor

Demian Bichir, “A Better Life”
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Gary Oldman, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, “My Week With Marilyn”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Nick Nolte, “Warrior”
Max von Sydow, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Alexander Payne, “The Descendants”
Martin Scorsese, “Hugo”
Terrence Malick, “Tree of Life”
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”

Best Original Screenplay

“The Artist”
“Bridesmaids”
“Margin Call”
“Midnight in Paris”
“A Separation”

Best Adapted Screenplay

“The Descendants”
“Hugo”
“The Ides of March”
“Moneyball”
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

Best Animated Feature

“A Cat in Paris”
“Chico & Rita”
“Kung Fu Panda 2”
“Puss in Boots”
“Rango”

Best Art Direction

“The Artist”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“War Horse”

Best Cinematography

“The Artist”
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“The Tree of Life”
“War Horse”

Best Costumes

“Anonymous”
“The Artist”
“Hugo”
“Jane Eyre”
“W.E.”

Film Editing

“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“Moneyball”

Make-Up

“Albert Nobbs”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“The Iron Lady"

Original Score

“The Adventures of TinTin”
“The Artist”
“Hugo”
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:
“War Horse”

Original Song

“Man or Muppet”
“Real in Rio”

Sound Editing

“Drive”
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”
“War Horse”

Visual effects

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“Hugo”
“Real Steel”
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - My Predictions

The Golden Globes is tomorrow night, so I thought that I would just share my predictions for who I think would (and should) win in the categories below. If it were up to me however, "War Horse" would have received more nominations than it did but hopefully that is what the Oscars will make up for when it announces its nominations in the coming weeks.

MOVIE CATEGORIES

Best Motion Picture -- Drama

"The Descendants"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"The Ides of March"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"

Best Motion Picture -- Comedy

"50/50"
"The Artist"
"Bridesmaids"
"My Week With Marilyn"
"Midnight in Paris"

Best Actress -- Drama

Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Tilda Swinton, "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Best Actor -- Drama

George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"
Michael Fassbender, "Shame"
Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Best Actress -- Comedy

Jodie Foster, "Carnage"
Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"
Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
Kate Winslet, "Carnage"

Best Actor -- Comedy

Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Brendan Gleeson, "The Guard"
Ryan Gosling, "Crazy Stupid Love"
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"
Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris"

Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Albert Brooks, "Drive"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Viggo Mortensen, "A Dangerous Method"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Best Director

Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
George Clooney, "The Ides of March"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Best Screenplay

"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Ides of March"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"

Best Animated Film

"The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn"
"Arthur Christmas"
"Cars 2"
"Puss In Boots"
"Rango"

Best Foreign Language Film

"A Separation" (Iran)
"The Flowers Of War" (China)
"The Kid With The Bike" (Belgium)
"In The Land Of Blood and Honey" (USA)
"The Skin I Live In" (Spain)

Best Original Score

Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"
Abel Korzeniowski, "W.E."
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Howard Shore, "Hugo"
John Williams, "War Horse"

Best Original Song

"Hello Hello" by Elton John, "Gnomeo & Juliet"
"Lay Your Head Down" by Sinead O'Connor, "Albert Nobbs"
"The Living Proof," by Mary J. Blige, "The Help"
"The Keeper," by Gerard Butler, "Machine Gun Preacher"
"Masterpiece," by Madonna, "W.E."


TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Best Television Series - Drama

American Horror Story (FX)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Boss (STARZ)
Game Of Thrones (HBO)
Homeland (SHOWTIME)


Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama

Claire Danes, "Homeland" (SHOWTIME)
Mireille Enos, "The Killing" (AMC)
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife" (CBS)
Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge" (ABC)
Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness" (USA)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama

Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO)
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)
Kelsey Grammer, "Boss" (STARZ)
Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias" (SHOWTIME)
Damian Lewis, "Homeland" (SHOWTIME)

Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Enlightened (HBO)
Episodes (SHOWTIME)
Glee (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
New Girl (FOX)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Laura Dern, "Enlightened" (HBO)
Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl" (FOX)
Tina Fey, "30 Rock" (NBC)
Laura Linney, "The Big C" (Showtime)
Amy Poehler, "Parks And Recreation" (NBC)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" (NBC)
David Duchovny, "Californication" (SHOWTIME)
Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
Thomas Jane, "Hung" (HBO)
Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes" (SHOWTIME)

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television

Cinema Verite (HBO)
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) (PBS)
The Hour (BBC AMERICA)
Mildred Pierce (HBO)
Too Big To Fail (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Romola Garai, "The Hour" (BBC AMERICA)
Diane Lane, "Cinema Verite" (HBO)
Elizabeth McGovern, "Downton Abbey" (Masterpiece) (PBS)
Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult" (ITV)
Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce" (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey" (Masterpiece) (PBS)
Idris Elba, "Luther"
William Hurt, "Too Big To Fail" (HBO)
Bill Nighy, "Page Eight" (Masterpiece)
Dominic West, "The Hour" (BBC AMERICA)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story" (FX)
Kelly MacDonald, "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO)
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey" (Masterpiece) (PBS)
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family" (ABC)
Evan Rachel Wood, "Mildred Pierce" (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Peter Dinklage, "Game Of Thrones" (HBO)
Paul Giamatti "Too Big To Fail" (HBO)
Guy Pearce, "Mildred Pierce" (HBO)
Tim Robbins, "Cinema Verite" (HBO)
Eric Stonestreet – Modern Family (ABC)

My Top 5 Movies of 2011

2011 was yet another year filled with many great and entertaining movies, and while there were just as many hits as there were misses, I've narrowed it down to 5 films that I personally thought was my favorite movies of 2011.


5. Friends with Benefits
This romantic comedy starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake pokes fun at the rom-com cliches while also making audience laugh out loud through the hilarious plot that is almost entirely similar, though executed better than No Strings Attached. With a screenplay written by Will Gluck, the same person behind the perfectly hilarious Easy A, and impeccable chemistry between the film's two leads, it was no doubt that this movie is not only highly entertaining, but also worth watching over and over again.


4. The Help
Adapted from the New York times bestselling novel, this movie adaptation stars Emma Stone in a racist-filled community of Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer give powerfully moving performances worthy of an Oscar in their respective roles.


3. X-Men: First Class
In what was the best superhero movie of the year, X-Men: First Class delivers on both storytelling and action. With a stellar cast led by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, this installment breathed new life into the staling X-Men series. Here's to hoping there will be more sequel featuring McAvoy and Fassbender.


2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
The end of another era came in the form of the Harry Potter series coming to an epic end. The final part of the book series movie adaptation not only charted a new milestone in the careers of the film's three leads, but also beautifully wrapped up what is one of the greatest stories ever told.


1. War Horse
Steven Spielberg brings to live the Tony Award-winning play about a boy and his horse during World War I. The film is beautifully shot, wonderfully orchestrated, and is bound to make you cry like a teenage girl thanks to the emotionally invigorating tale and intense bond between a man and his animal.

War Horse (2011) - Film Review

The critically acclaimed West End and now Broadway play War Horse is brought to life on the big screen in this adaptation by Steven Spielberg.

Based on the novel and play of the same name, War Horse follows a young boy named Albert(Jeremy Irvine) and his unlikely friendship with a horse, Joey. After taking Joey home as a child, Albert ultimately forms an unbreakable bond with the creature, a bond that is ultimately broken when his family is forced to give up the horse to make ends meet. At the outbreak of World War I, Joey is then enlisted to be a war horse on the battlefield, while back at home Albert vows to find his horse.

Steven Spielberg has created an epic masterpiece here. The film itself is an emotional journey filled with a lot of heart. Though the plot itself is simple, it is the emotional depth and relationships between characters that bring out the best in this film. In his first big feature film, actor Jeremy Irvine is able to create the innocence in Albert while delivering a strong, sensitive and sometimes heartbreaking relationship with his character's horse Joey. Every moment that is shared between the boy and his horse ignites waterworks, and add what may be this year's best original score by John Williams to it and you have an outstanding cinematic work. Spielberg has managed to capture the magnificent beauty of the English countryside as well as the terrors of the First World War excellently, and in many ways this feels like a throwback to more traditional films in the past.

The horses who played Joey were phenomenal and almost worthy of an acting nomination, that is if it were an actual person. Besides the acting animals, the film's other strength was the superb musical score. John Williams, whose previous most recognizable film scores include Jaws, Star Wars, and E.T. has composed another hit here, and it will be shocking to not see the War Horse score win an award come Oscar season next year.

If there was any doubt before that using real horses rather than the acclaimed puppets in the play would make this movie less of a success, all of that can now be dispelled. A family feature that is powerful, moving, and magnificent, it is safe to say that War Horse is easily the best film of the year.

The Descendants (2011) - Film Review

George Clooney gives a powerful moving performance in the Alexander Payne directed movie The Descendants.

Set in the exotic Kaua'i, The Descendants follows lawyer Matt King(George Clooney) who reconnects with his family after a tragic boating accident leaves his wife Elizabeth(Patricia Hastie) living on life support. Forced to reconcile and come to terms with his past mistakes, Matt must take care of his two daughters, 10-year-old Scottie(Amara Miller) and her rebellious older sister Alex(Shailene Woodley). Things take a turn for the worst when Matt is notified by the doctors that Elizabeth was going to be taken off of life support, meaning her life has now be reduced to a few weeks, and also when Alex enlightens him to the fact that his wife was cheating on him and was planning on getting a divorce. What ensues is a heartbreaking tale about a family as they come together to deal with the many issues that they have been stuck with.

While The Descendants sounds like a "been there, done that" story that is simple, the film is in actuality anything but boring or redundant. What director Alexander Payne has created here is a immensely touching film that is then further perfected thanks to George Clooney's portrayal of the protagonist Matt King. Clooney delivers in every department of acting here, making the audience so emotionally invested in the lives of his character and family, that at times you might even forget that you are simply just watching a movie on the big screen. Further, Secret Life's Shailene Woodley proves that she has acting capabilities beyond that of a ABC Family series, as her character, the troubled Alex also adds another level of emotional depth to the family's ongoing issues.

The Descendants is bound to stir up your emotions, as this George Clooney fronted film is compelling, poignant and enthralling.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) - Film Review

The Social Network team is back with David Fincher directing and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross orchestrating the score in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The dramatic thriller, which stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara is also the second adaptation of the book with the first being the Swedish film starring Noomi Rapace.

Mikael Blomkvist(Daniel Craig) is a publisher of Millenium magazine who receives a job offer Henrik Vanger(Christopher Plummer) to solve a mystery regarding a missing family member, Harriet. As Blomkvist digs deeper into the case, he also learns that Vanger ran a background check prior to him being hired. His check was done by a emotionally insane and edgy computer genius, Lisbeth Salander(Rooney Mara). Together the pair dig deep into Henrik Vanger's family's past, as twists and turns come along the way in this movie adaptation which stays rather closely to its source material.

The whole movie itself had a look and feel that is very much identical to that of The Social Network, as Fincher's style is scattered throughout the entire film. The score by Reznor and Ross also holds many similarities to Social Network, though the Network score is much more suited and well-put together than the Dragon Tattoo one. For those who have neither seen the Swedish films nor read the critically acclaimed novels will have no problem following the film's plot however, as Fincher manages to cut down on the novel's rather lengthy parts yet still making the movie comprehensible and enjoyable for the audience.

The cast is filled with many recognizable faces, with Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright and Joely Richardson playing important supporting roles. Daniel Craig is suitable in the role of trouble publisher Michael Blomkvist, though it seems as if he did not put an ounce of effort into trying to channel a Swedish accent. Following the first line, he simply resorted to speaking with his English accent, a factor that is made more noticeable than it should be thanks to all the other characters speaking with Swedish accents. The real highlight of the film comes in the award worthy performance by Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. Mara should indeed be honored as the "breakout star of the year" as she manages to bring multiple levels of complexity and emotional vulnerability to the role. Lisbeth Salander's trouble upbringing and sheer technological talent is brilliantly translated on the screen thanks to Mara's impeccable performance.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has Rooney Mara to thank as she carries this film from beginning to end, as this edge-of-your-seat thriller would have been just average without the actress in it.

Hugo (2011) - Film Review

Magical, adventurous, and a heart-felt family feature for the Holiday season.


Directed by Martin Scorsese, Hugo is a 3-D live action feature film based on the children's book by Brian Selznick and starring Chloe Moretz, Sasha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield and Jude Law. The movie takes place in 1931 Paris and follows a young boy named Hugo Cabret(Asa Butterfield) who after the death of his father(Jude Law) is left to maintain the clocks at the railway station while trying to finish his father's project of fixing an automaton.

The film starts at a sluggishly slow pace, and contains to stay at that rate, but the end result of the narrative redeems what the beginning lacks. The cast is also top-notch, with the two child leads, Butterfield and Moretz both suiting in their respective roles. Sasha Baron Cohen also brings light humor in the role of the train station inspector, and Ben Kingsley perfects the role of former acclaimed filmmaker Georges Méliès.

Being unfamiliar with the work of Georges Méliès, the film worked as a adventure mystery for me. I went into the film with not idea what to expect but "an adventure", and was surprised to find such an immensely touching tale unravel before my eyes. The direction by Scorsese is wondrous, and the cinematography a visual feast. Those who despise 3-D movies should make this one an exception, as the 3-D magically weaves itself into the plot so well that it only enhances the overall experience.

While the plot itself could have moved along quicker at parts of the film, it is no doubt that Hugo is a work of cinematic art. And with a talented cast and top-notch director behind it, this movie is well worth a trip with your family to the movie theatres.

Moneyball (2011) - Film Review

Aaron Sorkin hits another home-run with his latest film, Moneyball, which delves into the politics and business behind the popular American sport.

Directed by Bennett Miller, the film is based on 2003 book of the same name by Michael Lewis. Coming off of his Oscar nominated hit The Social Network last year, I was highly enthusiastic to see Sorkin back with another film. However, besides a wildly witty and well-written screenplay, and superb acting talent by Brad Pitt, I found this movie to be mostly of a bore.

Moneyball follows Billy Beane(Brad Pitt), the Oakland Athletics general manager as he tries to assemble a top-notch team after the team lost to the New York Yankees previously. With the help of Peter Brand(Jonah Hill), a college graduate Beane and Brand work together to assemble an all-star team that includes pitcher Chad Bradford(Casey Bond) and first baseman Scott Hatteberg(Chris Pratt).

The artistically inter-cut scenes of baseball players in action throughout the film was very well inputed and done. And as previously stated, Pitt gives an Academy Award worthy performance in his portrayal of Billy Beane. The film moves at an unbearably slow pace during its 133 minutes duration, and this is especially noticeable for people who aren't baseball fanatics like myself. However, it is undeniable that the screenplay by Sorkin and Pitt's portrayal of Billy Beane is what makes this movie worth watching at least once through.